ExecutivePlanet.com - International Business Etiquette

Observe the World Around You

Our cultural background is part of the filter through which we see the world. It impacts how we perceive events, people and our environment. For most of us, our days fly by in a blur. By stopping our auto-pilot and taking a closer look at just one person or event in a new way, we have the opportunity to re-frame our perceptions. We can see the world through new "eyes". When we look at the world through fresh eyes, we can choose the best possible manner of interacting. This month, as you interact across cultures, pause your automatic responses and see the world through new eyes. In doing so, you might discover a new friend, or you might discover a new way to seeing yourself. Either way, it will be a fresh way of seeing the world.

The Executive PlanetÙ guides to doing business worldwide each contain the following articles:

Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles, adherance to company policy, and more business culture info . . .

Prosperous Entertaining - typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for business entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating etiquette, mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for hosting a banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting and declining invitations, and more business etiquette info. . .

Appointment Alert! - typical vacation times, recommended apppointment times, length of the lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an appointment, best arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on business culture info. . . Gift Giving - recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and bad colours for wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups, guidelines for receiving gifts, and more on business etiquette info. . .

First Name or Title? - using titles such as 'Doctor', naming conventions to avoid, when to use first names, and more business etiquette info. . . Public Behaviour - how to greet strangers and introduce yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable demeanor, rules for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on business culture info. . .

Business Dress - is dress modest, conservative, etc., specific dress requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to social functions, and more on business etiquette info. . .

Conversation - welcome and unwelcome topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice to be used, whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on business culture info. . .